Lincoln Woods - August 6, 2025

I got up early, and got out to paddle my new Millbrook Outrage. I started out on flatwater at Lincoln Woods. It is great at spinning and carving circles, but like all whitewater boats, it can be a challenge to paddle straight. After that I headed over to River Island Park to paddle in some current, but there wasn’t enough water to do much. I’m heading off to the Dead this weekend with Paul. I’m going to bring my old MR Outrage on that one. I want to spend a little more time in this new boat before trying a big trip like that.

Providence - August 5, 2025

Under the I-way Bridge

With most of the crew up in the Adirondacks, I agreed to lead the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club Trip on the Providence River.

The Providence River is formed at the convergence of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers in downtown Providence. It flows south through Providence for a mile to its convergence with the Seekonk River at Bold Point/India Point. It then opens up into Providence Harbor and continues south for 8-miles to the narrows between Conimicut Point in Warwick and Nayatt Point in Barrington where it becomes Narraganset Bay.

Providence skyline

We had a group of 14 boats – all kayaks, although Danny joined us at Water Street in his canoe. It was high tide when we put in at Bold Point and headed out across Providence Harbor towards the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. We passed the tugboats and paddled under the I-way Bridge and through the hurricane barrier into downtown Providence.

Providence was established in 1636 by Puritan theologian Roger Williams who was fleeing religious persecution in Boston. It became a trading center in the 18th century, a manufacturing center in the 19th century, and a financial center in the 20th century. This history can be seen today in the warehouses, mills and office buildings that line the river.

The Cove

In the heart of Providence the river passes through Waterplace Park. Completed in 1994, Waterplace Park includes pedestrian bridges over the river that connect over a mile of cobblestone-paved walkways known as the Riverwalk. The park is home to the popular summertime Waterfire events

We continued up the Woonasquatucket River into the Cove at Waterplace Park. We paddled under Providence Place before turning around, and had a leisurely paddle back through the city.

Links:

My Pictures

Millbrook Outrage - August 4, 2025

I’ve finally joined the Millbrook club! I just bought a lightly-used Millbrook Outrage – coincidentally from the same guy who owed my old Encore. This is the second boat that I have in both royalex and composite versions - Wildfire/Yellowstone Solo and now the Outrage.

Millbrook Boats is known for lightweight and durable composite whitewater canoes. The company was founded by John Berry in 1959 and initially focused on whitewater slalom racing boats. In 1988, John Berry sold the business to John Kazimierczyk. Kaz expanded the market for Millbrook with boats like the 20/20 and Shacho that appeal to recreational paddlers as well as racers.

In 1995, Mad River Canoe introduced the Outrage, which was designed by Tom Foster and Jim Henry. Specifications for the Millbrook version are:

• Length: 12'
• Gunwale Width: 28"
• Depth at Center: 15.5"

Interestingly, the royalex version from Mad River is an inch shorter and a quarter inch narrower than the Millbrook composite boat. Both of mine were outfitted by Kaz and came with 8" pedestals. I raised the Mad River by 1/2" to 8 1/2". I raised the Millbrook by 1" to 9". We'll see which I like better.

Links:

My Pictures - Millbrook Outrage

My Pictures - Royalex vs Composite Outrage

Two Weeks on Salt Water - End of Another Great Vacation

Taking a break at East Matunuck Beach

Our annual summer vacation at the beach ended today, so packing up to go home trumped paddling this morning. With family, work and weather I missed a few days of paddling, but that’s OK. I was still able to get out to most of my favorites including Potter Pond, the Harbor of Refuge, Jamestown Harbor, the Narrow River and Wickford. I missed some old favorites like Dutch Harbor and Fort Wetherill. Of course, I spent a lot of time paddling on Point Judith Pond including another fun trip with RICKA.